Saw XI Proves The Thriller Franchise Is Back In Full Swing

Saw II followed closely on the heels of the original, hitting theaters 364 days after its predecessor. The franchise maintained the tradition until the seventh installment, Saw 3D, which took 371 days to hit theaters after Saw VI. Following a seven-year hiatus, the series returned in 2017 with Jigsaw, which injected fresh blood into the iconic horror saga.

Saw X proved to be a box office success, earning $53 million in North America and $107 million globally against a modest $13 million production budget. Its success likely prompted Lionsgate to give Saw XI the green light. While plot details are scarce, Josh Stolberg, who co-wrote Jigsaw, Spiral, and Saw X with Pete Goldfinger, says they will not be involved with Saw XI.”Pete and I are sitting this chapter out,” Stolberg wrote on X. “Very excited to see this one as a fan of the franchise. I think people will be pleased with the team,” he added, hinting that writers have already been hired for Saw XI. Stolberg also thanked fans for their kind words after some expressed disappointment that the new film will be written by a new team of creatives.

Saw X featured the return of franchise star Tobin Bell, reprising his role as the infamous John Kramer/Jigsaw. Bell has been a staple of the series since its inception in 2004. The story follows John Kramer to Mexico, where he plans to undergo an experimental procedure to cure his cancer. When he discovers that the entire set-up is a scam, Kramer places the fraudsters in a series of terrifying traps. 

Casting details for Saw XI have yet to be disclosed. Kevin Greutert, who has been associated with the franchise as an editor and director, previously expressed his desire for Saw X to serve as a farewell to the Jigsaw character, albeit with the caveat of never ruling out future possibilities. The film served as a prequel to every installment except the flagship movie.This allowed the creative team to resurrect John Kramer, who met his demise in Saw III. As such, Saw XI might adopt a similar approach, potentially serving as another prequel and allowing Tobin Bell to revisit the iconic Jigsaw role. Alternatively, following the pattern set by the post-Saw III sequels, the film might incorporate Jigsaw through flashback sequences.

The franchise began with the release of Saw in 2004, directed by James Wan from a script by Leigh Whannell. The film was a low-budget success that established itself as a modern horror classic. The story revolves around two strangers, Adam Faulkner-Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes), who wake up in a shabby bathroom chained to pipes.The success of Saw paved the way for numerous sequels that further explore Jigsaw’s legacy, introduce new characters, and delve deeper into the psychological aspects of the traps and moral choices presented to the victims. Each installment adds layers to the overarching narrative, and it will be interesting to see how Saw XI fits into the mix.